Moistening device



I 2 2 w i e w m J 152 O WI .1. {a l a M O a a 4 4 5 m s PO .I M M m o T J. Y

Nov. 21, 1944. J. B. TWEETEN MOISTENING DEVICE Filed July 6, 1942 Patented Nov. 21, 1944 MOISTENING DEVICE John B. Tweeten, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor of v one-half to l tobert L. Parker, South Pasadena,

Calif.

Application July .6, 1942, semi No. 449,970

4 Claims. (01. 91-51) This invention relates to the type of copy making machines commercially known as duplicators and has particular reference to improvements in moistening devices for duplicators of the rotary ype. i

In such machines, a master coyy bearing the imprinted matter to be copied is first placed on a cylindrical drum, rotation of which causes sheets of moistened copy paper to pass over the master sheet, i thereby to receive imprint therefrom. t i t i The most up to date moistening mechanism used in such duplicators is substantially a very simplified modification of the ink fount mechanism used in printing presses, and while this improved method is vastlysuperior to methods formerly used it has, so far as I have been able to ascertain, not been found capable of even distribution of the moistening fluid.

In view of the foregoing, it is the object of my invention to provide simple and inexpensive means for controlling the fluid distribution of To this.

hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing of which: i

Fig. l is a front View of a duplicator moistening device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a substantially corresponding end view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional end view of the device taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional end view of the 'device taken on line 4-4 of Fig, 1 in direction of the arrow.

The structure illustrated inthe drawing is the part of a rotary duplicating machine in which copy sheets are moistened as they pass to the drum (not shown) on which the master is mounted. The devices of the invention are embodied in this structure, which comprises a moistening roller l and a squeegee roller 2, both mounted Within a reservoir 3, all as usual in practice. These rollers are mountedto rotate in end frames 4, 5, which are set-in the reservoir and are provided with notches in which bearing blocks 6, l are seated. It is noticed that the shaft of the moistening roller is journaled in the frames 4, 5 and that thesqueegee roller shaft is mounted in the blocks '6, I. In view of this, it is seen that the former is rotatably fixed, while the latter is horizontally movable relative thereto,

and this movement is provided for the purpose of adjusting the pressure of the squeegee against the moistening roller.

A rod I0 is hungin lugs l I, I2 forming part of or attachedto the endsof the reservoir parallel with the two rollers. :Vertically disposed.

arms l3, M are rigidly secured to this rod, near the ends thereof, and the free ends of thesearms are perforated to seat screws l5, l6 in'alinement withthe bearing blocks 6, l. i In. the latter are sunk sockets adapted to receive headedplun ers ll, l8, and springs I9, are seated inthese sockets to bear against the heads of the plung ers for the purpose of urging the latter against the ends of the screwsrl5, l6. 'Anmarm 2I1ris rigidly secured to and extends laterally from the rod. ID. This arm is contacted by a vertically dissprings I9, 20.

secured to the rod 10, the pressure exerted by n Because the blocks 6, I are mounted for lateral movement in the frames 4, 5, it is seen that the pressure exerted by the springs I9, 20 thereagainst also urges the squeegee roller againstthe moistening roller and that the screw 22 controls the pressure in this manner applied. It is also seen that, because the arms [3, M are rigidly the screw 22 is equally applied to the two plungers l1, [8. But, because it would be commercialply impractical to make the two springs so perfeet that they would function in exactly the same manner, it becomes necessary in addition to adjust the tension of each spring, and this may be readilyeifected by means of the screws,

shown within the scope of the claims hereto appended. It should, for instance, be clear to those versed in the art that it is within the skill of the ordinary mechanic to adapt the device. of my invention to apply pressure as above described to the stationary squeegee used on some of the commercially well known duplicators, by

merely locating the rod ID properly relative to such stationary squeegee. 7

I claim:

1. In a duplicator, in combination, a recepta- I roller.

2. In a duplicator, in combination; a receptacle for moistening fluid, a moistening roller rotatably fixed therein, bearings slidable within the receptacle, a squeegee roller in said bearings, a

rod externally hung on the receptacle-parallel with said rollers, arms on said rod near the ends thereof, adjustableelements at the ends of Said arms, compressible members between said elee ments and the said bearings, an arm on the outer end of said rod, and a screw seated in threaded lugs of thereceptacle for adjustably applying pressure against said last named arm to vary the pressure of the squeegee roller against C the moistening roller. i

3. In a duplicatonthe combination with are.- ceptacle for moistenin fluid, a moistening rolle er, a. squeegee roller,'and bearingblocks tor the latter 'slidably mounted within said receptacle;

of .a rod externally hung on said reservoir parallel with said rollers, an arm at each end of said rod, resilient means operatively interconnecting said arms with the said squeegee roller bearing blocks to move said roller against the moistening roller, manually operable means on the free end of each arm bearing against said e ilient mean fo justing he .tens en thereof, an arm on the end of said rod, and an adjustable member mounted on the receptacle and manually operable to apply pressure against the last named arm thereby to rotate said rod to vary the pressure of the squeegee roller against th meist nine llerl. In a duplicator, the combination with a receptacle for moistening fluid, a moistening roller, a squeegee roller, and bearing blocks for the latter slidably mounted within the receptacle; oi a rod externally, hung on said reservoir parallel with said rollers, arms on said rod near the ends thereof, adjustable elements in the outer ends of said arms, oompressible resilient meme bers freely bearing against, said bearing. bloeks,

plungers in the outer ends of said resilient mem; bers contacted by said elements for individually adjusting the tensionof said members, anarm on the end of said rod, and an adjustable memr ber manually operable'to apply pressure a ainst said last named arm to rotate the rod thereby to vary t pr ssure of th s uee ee roller against the moistening roller. l l;

JQH B.- 

